Happy birthday Johnny! Yes Johnny Otis is 80 years old this month and is one of the grand old men of the music business. More importantly he was a key pioneer in the development of R'n'B into Rock and Roll, and as such deserves a blue plaque and other such honours. He discovered - amongst others - Etta James, Esther Phillips and Little Willie John, and his band backed Big Mama Thornton on the original version of Hound Dog. He scored umpteen hits first in the post war rhythm and blues boom and then on Capitol as Rock and Roll took over. Yet it sometimes seems that Mr. Veliotes to give him his real name is a little overlooked in the R'n'R pioneer stakes. Leiber and Stoller, Ike Turner and Sam Phillips get a lot of the props but Johnny is sometimes missing from the plaudits. Ace has for some years been looking to rectify this fault, putting out both Johnny's own Dig recordings and his major label recordings for Capitol - if you don't have them they are scorching. Now BGP has decided to delve where others have never gone before.
The last year has seen a burst of publicity for the work of Johnny's son Shuggie, who started appearing with his father's band at the age of 14. Shuggie made some great records - we have three tracks here, two of which are previously unreleased - but it was only the tip of a large iceberg of work that emerged from Johnny's Hawk Sound studios throughout the late 60s and most of the 70s. Those who like to dance to funk will already be aware of Watts Breakaway, the Vibrettes' Humpty Dump and Vera Hamilton's But I Ain't No More - each pure classics, but our excavations have dragged out potential dancefloor monsters from Delmar and Carla, Doug Wintz and Ice Water Slim. We also get to show you the great sound of Johnny's band throughout the period from the caustic blues-funk of Signifying Monkey through the 'deep funk' classic Jaws to the big band disco of Good To The Last Drop and Don't It Make You Feel Good. And for those who haven't been charmed by his own CD Omaha Bar B Q we have a touch of Preston Love.
So clearly you can see that this is a good album, but even so I've still left out the best track which is an absolute monster, which seemingly came out on a Hawk Sound 45 in 1975 - if you have one I want it. That cut Spells and Incantations is a space soul record that will appeal to anyone who has been touched by the likes of Marlena Shaw, Minnie Riperton or Lorez Alexander. Simply put it is one of the best tracks we have put out on BGP - and that's high praise on an album with Strawberry Letter 23.
By Dean Rudland
This product is also available in these versions:
Watts Funky, CD (£11.50)
Share
Track listing
ShowSide 1
Delivery & Returns
ShowWe offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.
We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.
In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Bus Stop Mail Order Ltd, 42-50 Steele Road, London, NW10 7AS. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.
You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Bus Stop Mail Order Ltd, 42-50 Steele Road, London, NW10 7AS. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.
